The black sheep effect in young psychology students

Abstract

One thesis of Social Identity Theory developed by Henri Tajfel proposes the existence of in-group favoritism. Judgments related to in-group members are more favorable than those referred to out-groups subjects in order to sustain a positive social identity. Results obtained in researches carried out in last decade (Marques and Páez; 1996, 1999) throw a new shade to that proposal. When judged behavior or attribute is anti norm or deviate, subjects are more severe in their judgments with the in-group member in comparison with out-group ones revealing a “black sheep effect” (BSE). Based on those statements, a transcultural research was carried out with psychology student’s samples from different countries. The objective was to analyze the in-group favoritism and “black sheep effect” and, go further in subjects “extremity” judgments related to in-group and out-group members. Argentine sample is composed by 140 psychology students of Buenos Aires city. Results, similar to ones from other countries samples, corroborate in general the “black sheep effect” and refute the in-group favoritism when the behavior or attribute under judgment is negative or anti-normative.

Keywords

• identidad social
• favoritismo endogrupal
• conducta desviada